Veteran’s ‘Buddy Box’Ukrainian refugees are able to smile big thanks to a learning tool

A British Armed Forces veteran’s educational resource has helped break down language barriers for Ukrainian refugees in schools across the UK, leaving them with “big smiles”.

Called “Buddy Box”The resource uses text, images, and audio to translate languages such as Pashto, Afghan Dari, and Pashto to English and vice versa. It was created by Mark Hill, a veteran and entrepreneur from Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire.

“The feedback has been amazing. Teachers have said to watch the young people’s expressions when they hear their own language in the classroom has been remarkable,”The impact Buddy Box has on Ukrainian refugees was discussed by Mr Hill to the PA news agency.

“They hear their own language and it’s big smiles, Buddy Box keeps breaking down language and communication barriers.”

This digital resource is free and was created to help children in Syria and Iraq.

A version for Afghanistan was created in 2021, and one for Ukraine following the Russian invasion. The cloud-based learning tool is available online via a link or email.

Buddy Box links were sent out to 112 schools in the UK and local authorities.

Mr Hill stated that Buddy Box was one of the greatest parts. “can be used at home for the whole family to learn from and engage with as a family unit”.

The communication learning tool was also featured in a journal from The National Association for Language Development In the Curriculum – the Professional Association for those working with and for children who are learning English as an Additional Language in the UK – this year.

Meanwhile, Mr Hill has continued to support Afghan girls in a time that marks just over 300 days since the Taliban banned them from attending school.

Afghan Buddy Box supports approximately 100 girls in three provinces of Afghanistan.

Girls being supported through Buddy Box in Afghanistan – their faces have been blurred to protect their identity (Medhi Nazari/PA)

A school shared a photo last week in which young Afghan girls were seen holding thank-you posters for Mr Hill. He described it as an “anachronism.” “amazing achievement”.

He said: “I believe education is a human right and everyone, regardless of where they’re from around the world, should have access to an education.

“I have put a lot of work into Buddy Box – a lot of hours with support from my Afghan friend and translator Mehdi Nazari who has supported with Dari and Pashto text and audio.

“Mehdi is our link into supporting girls in Afghanistan. This project is something we are both passionate about. It’s inspiring to receive feedback from teachers saying how Buddy Box is making a huge difference. It has made all the hard work worth it.”

Hill claimed that he had a “vision”Take Buddy Box “around the world”To Africa and the Indian subcontinent.

He is currently in discussions with the Refugee Council to get the resource listed on Government’s website.

Buddy Box has been a success so far, with support from all levels of government, local authorities, educational institutions, and other governing bodies that are responsible for looking after young refugees.

Mark Hill

“From the Government to local authorities to educational establishments and other governing bodies who are tasked with looking after refugee young people, it’s going across the board,”He concluded.

Buddy Box covers subjects such as the alphabet and numbers, colours and shapes, telling time, days, weeks, months, fruits and vegetables, basic conversations and classroom items.

Mr Hill has launched a GoFundMe to raise enough money to create a website, to make it easier for Buddy Box to help those most in need – to learn more about the project, visit https://www.gofundme.com/f/ukrainian-buddy-box.